TownSquare Players News

(March 2010)

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In this newsletter:

“1776” Returns to Woodstock


The Tony Award-winning musical “1776,” last produced at the Opera House 20 years ago, is returning March 5-21 under the artistic/vocal direction of Geoffrey King, who handled those responsibilities for TSP’s March 2009 production of “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!).” Lou Czarny is producing and stage managing the new TSP production of “1776;” Angie Kells is choreographing.

A cast of 24 men and 2 women are bringing this “revolutionary” story to life, showing that people like John and Abigail Adams (Robert Ryan Sadlowski and Carrie MacDonald, pictured here), Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson had the same strengths and flaws as any of us. How our founding fathers worked through their differences to create a Declaration of Independence is a fascinating, entertaining, and educational story for all ages. For those members who aren’t already involved in the show, you’ll want to see this classic musical – complete with a nine-piece orchestra under the direction of Kathy Collins – before it’s gone.

For an extra treat, plan to see the show on Sun., March 7 and come an hour early. U.S. history expert Professor Joseph Morton will give a free half-hour talk at 2:00 in the Community Room on what John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were really like. Prof. Morton recently started a weekly column, “On This Day,” in the Northwest Herald.

“1776” performances follow the normal schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Hope to see everyone on stage, back stage, or in the audience!

TSP Elections – Candidates Needed

TSP has a seven-member board. Each June, three members – two officers and a director-at-large – are elected. This year, the vice-president and secretary positions are up for election, and neither incumbent (Regina Belt and Gina Micci, respectively) is seeking re-election. If you’re a TSP member who joined by Jan. 1 (this includes all “1776” cast/staff members who told Lou Czarny by that time that they’d become members), and you’ve been involved with TSP in some way during the July 2009 – June 2010 fiscal year (check the By-Laws on our website at www.tspinc.org for specifics on what constitutes involvement), you’re eligible to run. So seriously consider running for vice-president (two-year term), secretary (two-year term), or director-at-large (three-year term). Nominating Committee chair Lynne Kreisman will be calling members seeking candidates, but feel free to contact her first at 815-334-1799. Job descriptions for these positions are in the By-Laws; any current board member can also answer questions.

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“Leading Ladies” a Fall Hit


TSP’s November production of the hilarious Ken Ludwig (“Lend Me a Tenor,” “Moon Over Buffalo,” etc.) play, “Leading Ladies,” was a critical and audience favorite. Under the direction of Regina Belt (who had previously directed “Tenor” and “Buffalo” for WMTC), the comedy gave audiences the chance to laugh a LOT as they watched the story of two down-on-their-luck Shakespearean actors posing as the nieces of a wealthy, elderly woman to pull off a get-rich-quick scam…only to find themselves falling for a real niece and a family friend.

Jeff Cook and Chelsey Peterson (pictured here) were two of the eight members of the ensemble cast in the play, produced by Janie Czarny. In The Woodstock Independent’s review, Deborah Skozek said that “TSP succeeds in finding the fun in farce.”

The Soul Award for the show went to first-timer Matt Fraser, who was on the running crew.

Opening night featured a post-performance “Leading Ladies? Men?” contest in which male/female audience members were invited to dress in the attire of the opposite gender and be judged by a celebrity panel in the categories of “Most Believable Male,” “Most Believable Female,” and “Funniest Overall.” The winners – as judged by Regina Belt, State Senator Pamela Althoff, and Northwest Herald Executive Editor Chris Krug – each received a pair of passes to see “1776.” Kyle McCoy emceed the event.

Annual Meeting Scheduled

Mark your calendars. The annual business meeting for TownSquare Players will be held on Wed., June 16, 2010 at 7 p.m. More information, including the place, will be announced later this spring, but all members are encouraged to attend for a look back at the 2009-10 fiscal year, a look forward at the coming fiscal year, and for the previously mentioned election.

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Looking to Next Season

TSP’s board has selected its shows for 2010-11. In November, the Rupert Holmes musical “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” based on an unfinished story by Charles Dickens, will make its Woodstock Opera House debut. Because the show is interactive, with audience members being polled to determine the ending, each performance’s ticket sales will be limited to 200. In March 2011, the classic Oscar Wilde comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” will be performed.

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company has slated (pending rights availability) “Love, Sex and the I.R.S.” for October, “It’s a Wonderful Life” for its holiday show, and “Guys and Dolls” for April 2011.

Miscellaneous

Tarts and Truffles is interested in possibly having a murder mystery dinner in the near future, with some actors being hired (yep, that means paid) to play roles in the mystery. If we get more details, we’ll pass them along.

The Northwest Herald had interesting articles about the economy and entertainment in its Feb. 27 edition. If you missed them, here are a couple links that should function for the next several days:
Shows Go On Despite Tough Times
Venues, theater companies change to lure audiences

 

Archives:

President's Address/Town Square Players News 2011

President's Address 2009

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